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Colorado - 15. Westwater to Rose Ranch (Westwater Canyon)

Colorado, Utah, US

15. Westwater to Rose Ranch (Westwater Canyon)

Usual Difficulty

I-IV (varies with level)

Length

17 Miles

Avg. Gradient

9 fpm

Max Gradient

21 fpm

Westwater Canyon

Westwater CanyonPhoto by Kent Perillo taken 08/07/07 @ around 4000+cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

LOGISTICS: To reach the put-in, campground, and ranger station from I-70
Westbound exit 227 Westwater Exit). Note, there is a short-cut at Exit 221 which can be
problematic during and after periods of heavy rain, but DF likes to use it, mind your clearance
on the 221 route, low bridge !
To reach the Take-out use Exit 214 from Westbound I-70 and continue towards Cisco (this shows HWY
128). Roll Left through cisco on the Cisco Pump House Road, over a cattle grate, then bear left
at the next intersection, this road continues towards the Boat Launch. * Take the left fork to
reach the take-out ramp and parking area.

Shuttle is +/- two hours. There is the Kokopeli Trail to mountain bike along the river here.

RIVER REACH DESCRIPTION: Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River is a
classic desert overnight float trip. You'll find great Class III+ whitewater (Class IV at
higher water), good camping, and beautiful desert scenery. A permit
system at blm.gov and a few miles of flatwater at both the put-in and take-out.

Boaters typically arrive through the late afternoon and evening and camp out at the put-in to be
in line early for the campsite assignments (bring your own drinking water and firewood).
Excitement builds at the launch through the morning as boaters jockey for launch (day trippers
are normally launched first and around 10 am overnight trip launches start). It's a fun scene
and always a festive mood when first-timers and old-timers mix with an eclectic collection of
boats and gear. After the ranger checks your gear (read the list of requirements
carefullybefore launching because there will be a pre-launch
inspection) and the ranger gives a short river talk before your group is on
underway downriver.

The first few miles of this reach are a lazy float then class II rapids murmur with great Utah
redrock canyon scenery surrounding. Kayakers can find fun playspots while those on the rafts bask
in the sun and enjoy the view. There are several spots where you can stop and take a short hike
to explore the landscape. Bald eagles and other desert species abound.

Pee in the river, not in the desert. Please help us protect and preserve the special soils and
unique historical artifacts within Westwater Canyon. Microtrash must die!

With the transition between redrock sandstone and the black gneiss of the main gorge of the river
begins to pick up the pace at Little Dolores (near mile 7), and you begin to get a taste of the
rapids that lie just downstream. There are a couple of good campsites here at the start of the
main whitewater section with the added bonus of a great surfing wave right in front of your
campsite. You will also find a good hike up to the waterfall on the Little Dolores and a nice
little swimming hole (when there's water).

As you enter the main gorge the pace of the rapids begins to increase. The waves get bigger and
its hard to see downriver in places but most of the rapids (Marble Canyon, Staircase, Big Hummer,
Funnel Falls, and Surprise Rapid) are straightforward and consist mostly of big wave trains
providing ample playboating opportunities. While this is not a great place to swim there are just
enough rocks and ledges that experienced boaters can usually collect up boats and swimmers before
everything disappears downstream. At higher flows, rescues in the gorge become more
challenging and, swims can be very hazardous.
The anticipation of drifting into Skull keeps boaters on their toes. Skull is not a rapid to be
taken lightly as it has been the site of some epic mishaps. While the intermediate flow levels
move around Skull Hole is relatively straightforward, the consequences of a mistake here can be
severe. Skull is recognizeable as a jumble of boulders extending down to water level on river
left, a steep canyon wall on river right, and a distinct horizon line. The rapid can be scouted
from the rockpile on river left. This is a dangerous scout and the read and run crowd will tell
you to follow them and you will.
The key is to avoid Skull Hole at the foot of the rapid on the right, which is a definite raft
flipper, and the Room of Doom below it on river right.
The Room of Doom is formed where a river right rock point protrudes into the main current. Most
of the flow continues downstream to the left but a significant portion heads right into a rock
alcove with a powerful recirculating current that can make a challenge for boats attempting to
rejoin the main current. Breaking through the eddy fence at flows above 6000 cfs can
becomes challenging for rafts (fun for kayakers). There have been several incidencts where groups
have actually had to dismantle their raft and portage up over the cliff from the Room of Doom.
This would be absolute hell on slippery black rock.
Please bring your boating skills, river rescue skills, and experience with Class IV conditions
and avoid mishap with your best preparation for a remote river canyon.
Below Skull the river bounces through more fun rapids and great playspots (Bowling Alley,
Sock-it-to-Me and Last Chance). These rapids are similar in character to those near the beginning
of the gorge although Sock-it-to-Me can sometimes provide a bit of carnage entertainment. By mile
11, the rapids come to an end and the river continues at a more leisurely pace.
The entire run could be done in a day, but it's much more fun to take your time and not have
to race through the flatwater sections. Just keep in mind that you are only allowed one night of
camping on your launch date. The section at the end of the run provides a great opportunity for
kayakers to board the rafts and raid the beer coolers. Those who want to continue on for another
day at this leisurely pace can continue past the Cisco take-out and float the Cisco to Moab section that runs through
Professor Valley.

Little D hole (from river left)

Skull Raft Descent

Skull Raft Descent

Photo of Tom Jones by Tom O'Keefe taken 10/01/99 @ 5300 cfs

Skull is not a rapid to be taken lightly as it has been the site of some epic mishaps (it's near mile 10). While the move around Skull Hole is relatively straightforward at intermediate flows, the consequences of a mistake can be severe (especially for rafts). You'll recognize the rapid by a jumble of boulders that extends down to water level on river left, a steep wall on river right, and a distinct horizon line. The rapid can be scouted from the rocks on river left. The key is to avoid Skull Hole near the end of the rapid on the right which is a definite raft flipper, and the Room of Doom below it on river right. The Room of Doom is formed where a rock point protrudes out into the main current. Most of the flow continues downstream to the left but a significant portion heads right into a rock alcove with a powerful recirculating current that prevents boats from accessing the main current. While you can potentially break the eddy fence, at flows much above 6000 cfs this becomes difficult for rafts (potentially fun for kayaks if you're looking for the experience of swirling around in a toilet bowl). There have been cases where groups have actually had to dismantle their raft and portage up over the cliff. This looks like it would be absolute hell.

User Comments

Users can submit comments.

July 9 2018 (133 days ago)

nprete (157563)

Great trip! there were some awesome hikes to an amphitheater and the BLM ranger Bob was rad. We did
the trip in 2 days but you can lap it in a weekend. At around 4000 Scull was super easy, but some
of the other rapids were bigger than I expected! Hitched a ride back to the put-in with some nice
folks after finishing the last 5 miles of flat water (definitely save some beer for that part). Fun
trip! Video of the bigger rapids here -> https://youtu.be/VmTN1BQARYc